Method and apparatus in a pneumatic material conveying system, and a waste conveying system

ABSTRACT

Method in a pneumatic material conveying system, such as in a waste conveying system, which conveying system comprises at least one input point ( 61 ) of material, more particularly of waste material, a material conveying pipe ( 100 ), which can be connected to an input point ( 61 ), and a separating device, in which the material to be transferred is separated from the conveying air, and also means for achieving a pressure difference and/or a conveying air flow in the conveying pipe ( 100 ) at least during the transfer of material. In the method material is conveyed from an input point ( 61 ) to the separating means ( 106 ) or an accumulator tank of a subsystem ( 1 ), where the material is separated from the conveying air, and in a second phase the separating means ( 106 ) or the accumulator tank of the subsystem ( 1 ) is emptied.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is a method as defined in the preamble ofclaim 1.

The object of the invention is also an apparatus as defined in thepreamble of claim 10.

The object of the invention is also a pneumatic waste conveying systemas defined in the preamble of claim 18.

The invention relates generally to pneumatic material conveying systems,such as to partial-vacuum conveying systems, more particularly to thecollection and conveying of wastes, such as to the conveying ofhousehold wastes.

Systems wherein wastes are conveyed in piping by means of suction and/orconveying air are known in the art. In these, wastes are conveyed longdistances in the piping by sucking. The apparatuses are used for, amongother things, the conveying of wastes in different institutions. It istypical to these systems that a partial-vacuum apparatus is used toachieve a pressure difference, in which apparatus a partial vacuum isachieved in the conveying pipe with partial-vacuum generators, such aswith vacuum pumps or with an ejector apparatus. A conveying pipetypically comprises at least one valve means, by opening and closingwhich the replacement air coming into the conveying pipe is regulated.One of the convenient solutions of new regional building projects iswaste management that will operate with a pipe transport system. Thismeans that sorted wastes are sucked along underground pipes to a wastestation that is common to the whole region. The system is clean,odorless and noise-free, and is also a more environmentally friendlysolution than the conventional waste management and safer from theviewpoint of the adjacent area. In regional building sites in which ithas been decided to use a pneumatic pipe transport system in wastetransportation, it is typical that it is necessary to build conveyingpiping to completion and a shared waste station for the region eventhough the whole construction project would progress slowly and instages. In this case it is necessary to build the system to completionin respect of the conveying piping and the waste station, although theconstruction project might last for years or even decades. The capacityof the piping and of the waste station of the system has, however, beenmade ready taking into account the amount of users to be realized atsome time in the future. A waste station is conceived to typicallycomprise also means for achieving a pressure difference in the piping,e.g. partial-vacuum generators, such as vacuum pumps or corresponding.In this case in the initial phase of a construction project a situationis encountered wherein it is necessary to make sizable investments inequipment, even though the designed full capacity will not be needed inthe system for years yet.

The aim of the present invention is to achieve a new type of solution inconnection with material conveying systems, by means of which solutionthe drawbacks of prior art solutions are avoided. Another aim of theinvention is to achieve a solution applicable to partial-vacuumconveying systems, by means of which it is possible to modularlyincrease the size of the system, and in which e.g. the commissioning ofequipment that is unnecessary with respect to the capacity requirement,and in a stage that is too early, can be avoided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is based on a concept wherein a total system consists ofsubsystems, each of which comprises its own means for achieving apartial vacuum, and which subsystems can be connected to trunk piping,which trunk piping is arranged to be connected to a waste station inwhich the waste station's own partial-vacuum generators/pump devices arenot used, but instead the partial-vacuum generators and/or fans of thesubsystems are used to achieve the partial vacuum needed. In the conceptof the invention, the means required for developing the partial vacuumneeded in the conveying of the material of an extensive system aredistributed in the system into subsystems.

The method according to the invention is characterized in that in themethod material is conveyed from an input point to a separating means oran accumulator tank of a subsystem, where the material is separated fromthe conveying air, and in a second phase the separating means or theaccumulator tank of the subsystem is emptied.

The method according to the invention is also characterized by what isstated in claims 2-9.

The apparatus according to the invention is characterized in that theapparatus comprises means for conveying material from an input point toa separating means or an accumulator tank of a subsystem, where thematerial is separated from the conveying air and which subsystem isfitted to be connected to a local partial-vacuum generating apparatusand to at least one partial-vacuum generating apparatus of a secondsubsystem of a more extensive waste conveying system.

The apparatus according to the invention is also characterized by whatis stated in claims 11-17.

The pneumatic waste conveying system according to the invention ischaracterized by what is disclosed in claim 18.

The solution according to the invention has a number of importantadvantages. When using a solution according to the invention the costsof the early stage of a waste system in extensive construction projectscan be distributed better over a longer time span than before. Thesystem can be expanded modularly by means of subsystems. In the solutionpartial-vacuum generators are arranged in connection with each subsystemsuch that they can be used to produce the suction, or the suction andblowing, of the system needed in the use of a more extensive system. Inthis case wastes can be conveyed from the separating means or theaccumulator tank of the waste of subsystems in the desired transfermanner to further treatment. The system according to the inventionenables reliable operation and in addition it provides an easypossibility for using a backup system, i.e. the partial-vacuum generatorof some other subsystem, in a malfunction situation of thepartial-vacuum generating apparatus of one subsystem. In addition, thediameter of the conveying piping of a subsystem can be smaller than thediameter of the trunk piping. In this case the power requirement of thepartial-vacuum generating apparatus of a subsystem can be kept small andthe dimensioning and the costs of the drive devices of the apparatuseffective. In this case when conveying wastes from the separating meansof a subsystem to the waste station of an extensive system along a trunkpipe, the diameter of which is typically greater than the pipe of thesubsystem, the partial-vacuum generating apparatus of a number ofsubsystems is used to achieve the suction/blowing needed in transfer. Inthis case the operating power needed for the partial-vacuumgenerating/blowing of an extensive system can be efficiently distributedinto subsystems. In this case an own partial-vacuum generating apparatusis not needed at the waste station.

In the construction phase of a more extensive system the emptying ofsubsystems can be performed by using the suction/pressure of thesubsystem by transferring wastes e.g. to a tank of a transport means. Inthis case the transport means can be any transport means whatsoever thatcomprises a suitable tank, such as a container, or corresponding. Byarranging the piping of the system to comprise a circuit where at leasta part of the conveying air circulates, the volume of outlet air can bedecreased. At the same time the energy consumption of the systemdecreases. By maintaining a partial vacuum and at the same timemaintaining blowing, an effective circulation of conveying air in thecircuit and conveying transfer of material in the conveying pipe can beachieved. With the solution according to the invention, it is possibleto essentially reduce the volume of outlet air and, at the same time, toreduce possible dust problems and fine particle problems in the outletpipe. With the solution according to the invention, the noise problemcaused by prior art can also be essentially reduced. When the amount ofair to be sucked in decreases, the use of energy also decreases. Byopening and closing the input points of the system according to theinvention, efficient conveying of material into the conveying pipe andtransfer in the conveying pipe is achieved, while at the same time it ispossible to keep the noise impact caused by the operation of the systemsmall.

By arranging the conveying pipe of the material conveying system to becomposed of operating areas, i.e. subcircuits, the transfer of materialin the conveying piping and the emptying of input points into theconveying pipe can be effectively arranged. By arranging the conveyingair circulation in the opposite direction an effective removal ofclogging can be achieved. The change of the conveying air circulationinto the other direction can be arranged easily in a ring piping. Thesolution according to the invention is suited for use in bothconventional conveying systems comprising one or more conveying pipesand conveying systems comprising ring piping.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In the following, the invention will be described in more detail by theaid of an example of its embodiment with reference to the attacheddrawings, wherein

FIG. 1 presents one system according to an embodiment of the inventionas a diagram,

FIG. 1 a presents a simplified view of a part of the system according tothe invention,

FIG. 2 presents one system according to an embodiment of the inventionas a diagram, in a second operating phase,

FIG. 3 presents one system according to an embodiment of the inventionas a diagram, in a third operating phase,

FIG. 4 presents one system according to an embodiment of the inventionas a diagram, in a fourth operating phase,

FIG. 5 presents one system according to the invention as a diagram, in afifth operating phase,

FIG. 6 presents one system according to the invention as a diagram, in asixth operating phase,

FIG. 7 presents a diagrammatic and simplified view of one total systemaccording to the invention,

FIG. 8 a presents a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of a wastestation of the invention in a first operating phase,

FIG. 8 b presents a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of a wastestation of the invention in a second operating phase,

FIG. 9 presents a diagrammatic and simplified view of one total systemof the invention, in one operating phase,

FIG. 10 presents a diagrammatic and simplified view of one total systemof the invention, in a second operating phase,

FIG. 11 presents a diagrammatic and simplified view of one total systemof the invention, in a third operating phase, and

FIG. 12 presents a diagrammatic and simplified view of another operatingphase of a subsystem of an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-6 present the operation of a subsystem 1 of a material conveyingsystem according to the invention, in different operating phases. FIG. 7presents the total system, which comprises five subsystems 1 (I, II,III, IV, V) and also a waste station 2 and the necessary conveyingpiping 10, 11, 12, 114 between the subsystems 1 (I, II, III, IV, V) andthe waste station 2.

FIG. 1 presents a subsystem 1, which comprises a material conveying pipe100, along the side of which at least one, typically many, input points61 are arranged. An input point 61 is a feed-in station of material,more particularly of waste material, intended to be conveyed, from whichstation the material, more particularly waste material, such ashousehold waste, intended to be conveyed is fed into the conveyingsystem. The feed-in station 61 can also be a refuse chute, into whichmaterial is fed from input apertures on different floors of a building.The system can comprise a number of feed-in stations 61, from which thematerial intended to be conveyed is fed into conveying piping 100, 100A,1006, 100C, 100D, 100E, of a subsystem 1. A feed-in station 61 is markedin the figure with a dot, in which case by opening and closing ashut-off means, such as a valve means 60, that is in connection with thefeed-in station, material can be conveyed from an input point 61 intothe conveying pipe 100. FIG. 1 a presents one input point 61 to be usedin a system according to the invention and the discharge valve 60 ofsaid input point in more detail. The input point is connected on thevalve side to a conveying pipe 100 or to a pipe in connection with it.Typically conveying piping comprises a main conveying pipe 100, to whichit has been possible to connect a number of branch conveying pipes andin turn to which branch conveying pipes it has been possible to connecta number of feed-in stations 61. The material fed in is conveyed alongthe conveying piping 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D to a separating device106, in which the material being transferred is separated, e.g. due tothe dropping of speed and due to centrifugal force, from the conveyingair. The separated material is removed, e.g. according to need, from theseparating device 106. In the embodiment of FIG. 1 the main conveyingpipe 100 is formed into a circuit, which is divided by means of the linevalves 101A, 101B, 101C, 101D, 101E into a number of parts 100A, 100B,100C, 100D, 100E. In this case the emptying of the input points ofcertain areas and the conveying of the material of them along theconveying piping into the separating means 106 can be regulated.

The material fed in is transferred along the conveying piping 100, 100A,100B, 100C, 100D, 100E, to the separating means 106 of a subsystem 1,where the transferred material is separated from the conveying air. Theseparating means 106 and the means for achieving a partial vacuum can bearranged in the waste space 120 of a subsystem 1, e.g. in a waste spacespecific to a city block.

In the embodiment of the figure a pipe 107 is connected to theseparating means 106, to the upper part of it, which pipe can beconnected to a partial-vacuum source 3. In the figures, the ownpartial-vacuum source 3 of a subsystem 1 comprises a partial-vacuumgenerator 30, such as a vacuum pump and its drive device 31. In thefigure there is also a second separating means 110, more particularly aparticle separator, between the separating means 106 and thepartial-vacuum source 3. From the first separating means to the secondseparating means 110 is a pipe 107, and from the second separatingmeans, from its upper part, onwards is a pipe 117 to the suction side ofthe partial-vacuum generator 30 of the partial-vacuum source 3. Theblowing side of the partial-vacuum generator 30 can be connected to thepipe 130 and onwards to blow into the outward blowing pipe 131 and/orinto the conveying pipe 100 of the subsystem. The outward blowing pipeis provided with a valve 125 and a filter 126. Furthermore, the outwardblowing pipe 131 can, if necessary, be used as a replacement air pipe.

The apparatus comprises means, with which the direction of circulationof the conveying air of the conveying pipe of a subsystem formed into acircuit can be changed in the conveying pipe. In the embodiment andoperating phase of FIG. 1 the valve 104 is open, in which case theseparating means and the suction side of the partial-vacuum generatorare connected to a conveying pipe 100 from the side of its sub-area100D. Correspondingly, a connection is opened from the blowing side ofthe partial-vacuum generator by opening the valve 123 to the conveyingpipe 100 to the side of its sub-area 100A. The direction of circulationof the conveying air in the piping can be changed by closing the valve104 and opening the valve 105 in the pipe 102, which connects theconveying pipe from the side of the sub-area 100A to the separatingmeans and to the suction side of the partial vacuum generator. In thiscase also the valve 123 is closed and the valve 124 in the pipe 103 isopened, which valve connects the pipes 130, 131 and the sub-area 100A ofthe conveying pipe.

Furthermore, the separating means 106, 110 of a subsystem can be emptiedfrom its lower part via the pipeline 114 into the trunk piping 10. Thisis explained in more detail later. Further, there is a connection fromthe pipe 114 connected to the trunk pipe 10 with the pipe 115 to thepipe 130, i.e. to the blowing side of the partial-vacuum generatingapparatus. The pipe 115 comprises a valve 116, with which the connectioncan be opened and closed.

Means are thus arranged in connection with a subsystem, with which meansthe separating means 106 or a corresponding accumulator tank of thesubsystem can be emptied into a trunk pipe 10 by using at least thesuction external to the subsystem as an aid in the trunk pipe 10.

When it is desired to empty the separating means 106 of a subsystem intothe trunk pipe 10 and onwards along the trunk pipe 10 to a waste station2 of a more extensive system, the situation of FIG. 2 is arrived at,wherein the suction acts in the trunk pipe 10 and onwards in the pipe114. The valve means 111 between the separating means 106 and the trunkpipe 10 is opened, in which case the material in the separating means isable under the effect of the suction to be conveyed in the pipe 114 intothe trunk pipe 10. The valves of a subsystem are opened and closed suchthat there is access for replacement air into the upper part of theseparating means 106. In the embodiment of FIG. 12 at least theconnection from the replacement air pipes 121′, 121 and 131 to the upperpart of the separating means 106 is opened. In the embodiment of FIG. 2the separator means is emptied by the aid of the suction acting in thetrunk line and by the aid of replacement air.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3 the blowing of a subsystem's ownpartial-vacuum generating apparatus is used as an aid of the suctionacting in the trunk line. In this case the replacement air pipe 121 isclosed with the valve 122, and the valve 119 in the pipe 117 is furtherclosed, as in FIG. 1. The blowing side of the pump device 30 of thepartial-vacuum generating apparatus is connected to blow into theconveying pipe 100, which leads to the upper part of the separatingmeans. The pump device receives replacement air from the replacement airpipe 121′, which is on the suction side of the pump device.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, an operating phase is presented in which asuction effect is exerted in the trunk line 10 with a partial-vacuumgenerating device 30 of a subsystem 1. The suction side of thepartial-vacuum generating device 30, i.e. of a pump device, is connectedvia the pipes 117, 109, 114 to the trunk line 10. In this case theconnection of the suction side of the partial-vacuum generating device30 to the subsystem's own conveying pipe 100 is typically closed. Theblowing side of the partial-vacuum generating device is connected toblow into the outward blowing pipe 131.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, an operating phase is presented in which ablowing effect is exerted in the trunk line 10 with a partial-vacuumgenerating device 30 of a subsystem 1. The blowing side of thepartial-vacuum generating device 30, i.e. of a pump device, is connectedvia the pipe 115 to the trunk line 10. In this case the connection ofthe suction side of the partial-vacuum generating device 30 to thesubsystem's own conveying pipe 100 is typically closed. Also theconnections of the separating means to the pipe 114 leading to the trunkpipe are closed with the valves 111, 112 and 113. The pump device 30 ofthe partial-vacuum generating apparatus receives replacement air fromthe replacement air pipe 121′, which is on the suction side of the pumpdevice.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6, an operating phase is presented in whichthe partial vacuum acting in the trunk pipe 10 is used, in addition tothe suction achieved with a subsystem's own partial-vacuum source 3, inemptying the conveying pipe and input points of the subsystem. Withrespect to the situation of FIG. 1, only the connection from the upperpart of the separating means 106 via the pipeline 109 to the trunk pipevia the pipeline 114 is opened. In this case the valve in the pipeline109 is in the open position.

Means, with which the suction side and/or the blowing side of thepartial-vacuum source of the subsystem can be connected to act in thetrunk pipe 10, are thus arranged in connection with a system. On theother hand, the subsystem comprises means with which the suction actingin the trunk pipe 10 can be utilized in a subsystem 1, e.g. in emptyingthe separating means 106 of the subsystem into the trunk pipe and/or inemptying the input points of the subsystem and in conveying material tothe separating means of the subsystem.

In the following the operation of the system is described by the aid ofFIGS. 1-6. FIG. 1 shows a situation in which it is desired to empty oneor more material input points of the branch conveying pipe 100A.

When the suction side of the partial-vacuum generator is connecteddirectly or via a conveying air duct to the accumulator tank, to whichthe discharge end of a conveying pipe 100 is in turn connected, apartial vacuum is produced in the conveying pipe 100. In this case thesuction acts in the conveying pipe 100 via the medium pathway 107connecting to the accumulator tank. An area valve is between the mainconveying pipe 100 and the branch conveying pipe 100A, which valve isopen in this operating phase. In this case the suction is able to actalso in the branch conveying pipe 100A. In the case according to thefigure, when the valve means 60 of the point is opened in an input point61, the material batch intended to be conveyed transfers into the branchconveying pipe 100A and onwards into the main conveying pipe 100.Possible replacement air into the conveying pipe comes e.g. via theinput point 61 when opening the valve 60 to the conveying pipe. When thevalve 60 of an input point is closed, the line valve can be opened forreceiving replacement air into the conveying pipe or the line valve canbe kept open when emptying material, in which case the material of thefeed-in container 61 to be emptied is dropped into the air currentmoving in the conveying pipe 100A.

The waste material is conveyed along the conveying piping 100A, 100 tothe accumulator tank 106, where the conveying air separates from thewaste material and the waste material remains in the accumulator tank106 (FIG. 2).

When all the input points intended to be emptied have been emptied andthe material is conveyed from the branch conveying pipe 100A into theconveying pipe 100, the area valve can be closed and the area valve 101B(FIG. 3) of the branch conveying pipe 100B of the area intended to beemptied next can be opened. After the input points of this branchconveying pipe have been emptied into the conveying pipe 100B, 100 andconveyed in the piping onwards to the accumulator tank 106 in acorresponding manner to that described above in connection with FIGS. 1and 2, the area valve of the branch conveying pipe 101B is closed and itis possible to move to the next area to be emptied by opening e.g. thearea valve 101C (FIG. 4) of the branch conveying pipe 100C.

When the accumulator tank has filled up and it is desired to empty itonwards (FIG. 5), either into the conveying pipe 10 or into anotherreservoir, e.g. into a transport tanker, the connection from theconveying pipe 100 of the subsystem to the accumulator tank 106 isclosed by closing the valve 104. Also the connection from thepartial-vacuum generators to the medium pathway 107 to the upper part ofthe accumulator tank is closed with the valve means 119. The suctioneffect is transferred to the pathway 115 arranged in the lower part ofthe accumulator tank, in which case the material of the accumulator tankstarts to move from the accumulator tank via the pathway 114 into theconveying pipe 10. Replacement air is received in the accumulator tank106, in the upper part of it, via the replacement air pipe 109 and themedium pathway 107, when the valves 108 and 113 are in the openposition.

The following addresses a more extensive material conveying system,which is formed from a number of subsystems 1, which can be connectedvia a trunk pipe 10 to a waste station 2. In the embodiment of FIG. 7the trunk pipe 10 is arranged into a circuit, the ends of which areconnected via the pipes 11 and 12 to a waste station 2 and to theseparating means 20 disposed there. The waste station is described inmore detail in FIGS. 8 a and 8 b. The waste station comprises means forchanging the conveying air circulation in the circuit of the trunk pipe.In the operating phase of FIG. 8 a the first pipe 11 that is inconnection with the trunk pipe is connected to a separating device 20. Aconveying air duct 22 leads from the separating device 20, from itsupper part, to a second separating device 21, to a particle separator,and onwards via the conveying air ducts 23 and 15 to a second pipe 12.In the situation according to FIG. 8 a the suction effect achieved withthe partial-vacuum sources of the subsystems acts in the second pipe 12,which suction effect is able to further act via the separating means 20,21 in the first pipe 11 and further in the trunk pipe connected to it.This type of situation is presented e.g. in FIG. 10.

In the operating phase of FIG. 10 it is desired to empty the materialcollected in the separating means of the subsystem 1(II) and to conductit along a trunk pipe to a waste station 2 of a more extensive system.Area valves 10A, 10B, 100, 10D, 10E are arranged in the trunk pipe, withwhich valves the trunk pipe 10 can be divided into areas. In the case ofFIG. 10 the area valve 10C is closed. In this case a suction effect (S)exerted in the conveying piping is achieved with the partial-vacuumsources of the subsystems 1(III), 1(V) and 1(IV) via the pipes 114. Thedevice of the waste station 2 is connected according to FIG. 8 a. Thedevices of the subsystem 1(II) are connected to a phase according toFIG. 2. In the figure the direction of movement of the material to beconveyed is described with black arrows and mainly the movement ofconveying air during the conveying of material is described with palearrows. The waste material is conveyed from the separating means of asubsystem 1(II) to the waste station 2 along the route in the trunk pipedescribed by the black arrows of FIG. 10.

Alternatively the operating phase of FIG. 3 can also be used, in whichcase the suction effect coming from the trunk line can be assisted withblowing achieved by the partial-vacuum generating device of thesubsystem 1(II).

In the operating phase of FIG. 9 the partial-vacuum sources of thesubsystems 1(I), 1(II) and 1, (III) are used to form the partial vacuumneeded in material conveyance in the conveying piping 10, by connectingthe suction sides of them to the separating device 20 of a waste stationvia the pipe 11 according to FIG. 8 b. In the figure, it is desired toempty the material collected in the separating means of the subsystem1(V) into the separating means of the waste station 2. The area valve10D is closed, in which case the suction effect of the partial-vacuumsources of the subsystems 1(I), 1(II) and 1(III) travels in the trunkpipe via the waste station 2 to the subsystem 1(V). The devices of thesubsystem 1(V) are connected to a phase corresponding to FIG. 2. Thewaste material is conveyed from the separating means of the subsystem1(V) to the waste station 2 along the route in the trunk pipe describedby the black arrows of FIG. 10.

In the operating phase of FIG. 11 the intention is to empty the materialcollected in the separating means of the subsystem 1(II) along the trunkpiping 10 into the separating means of a waste station 2. In theoperating phase of FIG. 11, a suction effect is achieved by the aid ofthe partial-vacuum sources of the subsystems 1(IV) and 1(V) via the pipe12 via the separating means of a waste station to the pipe 11 andonwards via a trunk pipe to the subsystem 1(II). In addition, theblowing effect achieved by the partial-vacuum generating apparatus ofthe subsystem 1(III) is used in the trunk pipe 10. The area valve 10D isclosed. A blowing effect is achieved with the pump device of thepartial-vacuum generating device of one or more subsystems, which pumpdevice is farther from the waste station in the direction of materialconveying of the trunk pipe than the subsystem intended to be emptied.With the blowing achieved by the subsystem 1(III) sufficient air flow isachieved in the trunk pipe 10, in which case, together with the suctioneffect achieved by the subsystems 1(IV) and 1(V), the pressuredifference needed in the conveying of the material collected in theseparating means of the subsystem 1(II) to the waste station isachieved.

The conveying piping 100 of a subsystem 1 is typically much smaller indiameter than the diameter of the trunk piping 10 and, that being thecase, requires a smaller air flow rate. For example, when the conveyingpiping of a subsystem is type NS 300, the flow rate requirement of whichis approx. 6000 m3/h. When the pipe type of a trunk line is NS 500, theflow rate requirement of which is approx. 18000 m3/h. In this case thetrunk line requires approx. three times the volumetric air flow rate. Inthis case it can be noted that three partial-vacuum generatingapparatuses of a subsystem can together also handle the air flow raterequirement of the trunk piping. This can also be arranged such that onesubsystem 1 blows into the conveying pipe, such as in FIG. 11, and thepartial-vacuum generating apparatus of two subsystems sucks. In thiscase a suitable speed for the air flow is achieved in one embodiment.

According to FIG. 8 a the waste material to be conveyed is conveyed fromthe subsystems 1 (I, II, III, IV, V,) of FIG. 7 along the piping 114,10, 11 leading to the waste station 2 to the separating device 20, inwhich the material being conveyed separates, e.g. due to the dropping ofspeed and due to centrifugal force, from the conveying air. Theseparated material is removed, e.g. according to need, from theseparating device 20 to a material container, such as to a wastecontainer 40, or to further treatment. There can be many separatingdevices 20, 21, as in FIGS. 8 a, 8 b two, a first separating device 20and a second separating device 21, e.g. a particle separator. Inaddition, the waste station can have a waste press in connection withthe waste container.

The first separating device 20 is connected with the duct 22 to thesecond separating device 21 and onwards with the conveying air duct 23to the means for forming a partial vacuum in the conveying pipe.

The conveying air circulation of the waste station 2 and the directionof travel of the material in the conveying pipe 10 can be adjustedaccording to FIGS. 8 a and 8 b. In FIG. 8 a the pipe 11 is an inlet pipeof the conveying pipe 10, the valve 14 of which pipe 11 is open to thepipe 19, which leads the pathway onwards to the separating device 20.The first end 11 of the conveying pipe 10, i.e. the inlet pipe in FIG. 8a, is thus connected via the separator means 20 to the suction side ofthe pump devices of the subsystems achieving suction in the embodimentof the figure, via the pipe 22, the second separating device 21, and thepipes 23, 15 and 12. In FIG. 8 b the pipe 12 is an inlet pipe of theconveying pipe 10, the valve 13 of which pipe 12 is open to the pipe 19,which leads the pathway onwards to the separating device 20. In thetransfer of material the suction to be achieved with the subsystems actsin the conveying pipe 10, which is connected via the pipe 11 to theseparating device 20 of the waste station 2 via the pipe 16, 23, thesecond separating device 21 and the pipe 22.

In the system presented by FIG. 7 the main conveying pipe 10 isring-shaped, in which case the conveying air circulation in the trunkpipe 10 can be varied, depending on whether suction is arranged via thefirst end 11 or via the second end 12 of the main conveying pipe. It canbe conceived that the trunk pipe is a terminating pipe, in which casethe waste station is disposed most suitably such that the subsystems aredisposed alongside the trunk pipe on both sides of the waste station. Inthis case, however, the advantages produced by a ring-type trunk pipeare not achieved.

FIG. 12 presents another embodiment in which an embodiment is presentedaccording to which the separating means 106 or a material accumulatortank of a subsystem can be emptied with a transport means into a tank200 intended to be transported, e.g. when an extensive system is stillin the construction phase or for some other reason. It must be notedthat the emptying can be performed by utilizing the partial-vacuumgenerating apparatus 3, 30, 31 of a subsystem 1. In this case an ownpartial-vacuum generating apparatus is not needed in the transportmeans. In the figure a discharge pipe 203 is connected to the lower partof the separating means 106 or of the accumulator tank, which pipe isconnected, e.g. with a hose, to a branch coupling 201 arranged in theupper part of a transport tanker 200. The hose comprises connectors, andthe pipe 203 and the branch coupling 201 comprise counterparts. In orderto achieve the suction needed a pipe 204 is arranged from the suctionside of the partial-vacuum generating apparatus of the subsystem, whichpipe can be connected, e.g. with a hose, to a branch coupling 202arranged in the upper part of a transport tanker 200. The hose comprisesconnectors, and the pipe 204 and the branch coupling 202 comprisecounterparts. A valve 206 is arranged in the pipe 204 and a valve 205 inthe discharge pipe 203 of the separating means. When it is desired toempty the separating means of a subsystem into a transport tanker 200,the suction side of the partial-vacuum generating apparatus is connectedto the transport tanker and correspondingly the discharge pipe 203 ofthe separating means 105 or of the accumulator tank is connected to thetransport tanker 200. When the partial vacuum apparatus 30, 31 isstarted up, the suction/partial vacuum achieved conveys material fromthe separating means 106 along the pipe 203 via the branch coupling 201into the transport tanker 200.

The invention thus relates to a method in a pneumatic material conveyingsystem, such as in a waste conveying system, which conveying systemcomprises at least one input point 61 of material, more particularly ofwaste material, a material conveying pipe 100, which can be connected toan input point 61, and a separating device, in which the material to betransferred is separated from the conveying air, and also means forachieving a pressure difference and/or a conveying air flow in theconveying pipe 100 at least during the transfer of material. In themethod material is conveyed from an input point 61 to the separatingmeans 106 or an accumulator tank of a subsystem 1, where the material isseparated from the conveying air, and in a second phase the separatingmeans 106 or the accumulator tank 106 of the subsystem 1 is emptied.According to one embodiment in the method in the first phase, thesubsystem's own partial-vacuum generating apparatus 3, 30, 31 is used inconnection with the emptying of the input points 61 of a subsystem 1 toachieve the suction effect needed in material conveyance.

According to one embodiment in the method in the second phase thepartial-vacuum generating apparatus of at least one second subsystem 1of a more extensive waste conveying system is used to achieve thesuction effect needed in material conveyance to convey in the conveyingpipe, i.e. in the trunk pipe 10, the wastes collected in the separatingmeans 106 or the accumulator tank of one first subsystem to theseparating device 20 of a waste station 2.

According to one embodiment the material is conveyed from a separatingdevice of a subsystem 1 onwards along a conveying pipe 10 to theseparating device 20 of a waste station 2, where the material to beconveyed is separated from the conveying air.

According to one embodiment the conveying pipe, i.e. the trunk pipe 10,of a more extensive system is connected into a circuit such thatconveying air can be circulated in the conveying pipe 10.

According to one embodiment in the method a partial vacuum is achievedin the conveying pipe, i.e. in the trunk pipe 10, of a more extensivesystem with at least one pump device, such as with a partial-vacuumgenerator, of a second subsystem 1, the suction side of which pumpdevice is connected to a separating device 20 of an extensive system,i.e. of the total system.

According to one embodiment in the method pressure, i.e. blowing, isachieved with the fan of a second subsystem 1, which fan is disposed inthe conveying pipe, i.e. in the trunk pipe 10, farther from theseparating means 20 in the direction of travel of the material than thesubsystem 1 to be emptied.

According to one embodiment in the method material is fed into theconveying pipe 100 from the input points 61 of material, which are theinput points of waste, such as waste receptacles or refuse chutes.

According to one embodiment in the method the subsystems 1 are wasteconveying systems of a certain area, such as of a city block.

According to one embodiment an extensive system, i.e. a total system, isa waste conveying system of a certain area, such as of a city district,which extensive system comprises a number of subsystems 1.

The invention also relates to an apparatus in a pneumatic materialconveying system, such as in a waste conveying system, which comprisesat least one input point 61 of material, more particularly of wastematerial, a material conveying pipe 100, which can be connected to aninput point 61, and a separating device, in which the material to betransferred is separated from the conveying air, and also means 30, 31for achieving a pressure difference in the conveying pipe 100 at leastduring the transfer of material. The apparatus comprises means forconveying material from an input point 61 to a separating means 106 of asubsystem 1, where the material is separated from the conveying air andwhich subsystem is fitted to be connected to a local partial-vacuumgenerating apparatus and to a partial-vacuum generating apparatus of atleast one second subsystem of a more extensive waste conveying system.

According to one embodiment the apparatus comprises means for conveyingmaterial from an accumulator tank of a subsystem 1 onwards along aconveying pipe 10 to the separating device 20 of a waste station 2,where the material to be conveyed is separated from the conveying air.

According to one embodiment the conveying pipe 10 of a more extensivesystem is fitted to be connected into a circuit such that conveying aircan be circulated in the conveying pipe 10.

According to one embodiment at least one pump device, such as apartial-vacuum generator and/or a fan, the suction side of which isconnected to a separating device 20, is fitted into the circuit of amore extensive system.

According to one embodiment the input points 61 of material are theinput points of waste, such as waste receptacles or refuse chutes.

According to one embodiment a subsystem 1 is a waste conveying system ofa certain area, such as of a city block.

According to one embodiment an extensive system, i.e. a total system, isa waste conveying system of a certain area, such as of a city district,which extensive system comprises a number of subsystems 1.

Waste conveying system, which comprises an apparatus according to any ofclaims 1-16.

The object of the invention is also a pneumatic waste conveying system,which comprises a number of subsystems, such as pneumatic waste systemsfor a specific city block, and conveying piping 10, with which thewastes of the subsystems 1 can be conveyed to a separating means of awaste station 2, where the wastes are separated from the conveying air.In the system the partial vacuum and/or blowing needed to convey thematerial collected in the separating means 106 or the collection tank ofone subsystem 1 from the separating means of the subsystem 1 in theconveying pipe, i.e. in the trunk pipe 10, to the separating means of awaste station 2 of an extensive system is fitted to be achieved with thepartial-vacuum generating device/fan of at least one second subsystem 1.

According to one embodiment the partial-vacuum generating device of atleast two subsystems 1 is used for achieving the necessary suction orpartial vacuum.

According to one embodiment the blowing side of a partial-vacuumgenerating device of at least one second subsystem 1 is connected to aconveying pipe, i.e. to a trunk pipe 10, to a point which is fartherfrom the separating means in the conveying direction of the materialthan the connection point of the subsystem to be emptied in theconveying pipe, i.e. in the trunk pipe 10.

According to one embodiment an extensive system, i.e. a total system, isa waste conveying system of a certain area, such as of a city district,which extensive system comprises a number of subsystems 1.

According to one embodiment the apparatus comprises means for conveyingmaterial from an accumulator tank of a subsystem 1 onwards along aconveying pipe 10 to the separating device 20 of a waste station 2,where the material to be conveyed is separated from the conveying air.

According to one embodiment the waste conveying system comprises anapparatus according to any of claims 10-17.

The embodiments of a pneumatic waste system according to the inventioncan vary according to the requirements of the application sites. Thepressure difference needed in the material conveyance of the system isproduced e.g. with an air flow, the magnitude of which depends on anumber of factors. In a distributed system according to the invention,in which an own partial-vacuum generating apparatus is typically notneeded at a waste station 2, the amount of the other subsystems 1producing the partial vacuum and/or blowing needed in the conveying ofmaterial at any given time from the separating means 106 or theaccumulator tank of one subsystem to the separating means 20 of a wastestation 2 therefore depends on the application site.

It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that the invention is notlimited to the embodiments presented above, but that it can be variedwithin the scope of the claims presented below. The characteristicfeatures possibly presented in the description in conjunction with othercharacteristic features can, if necessary, also be used separately toeach other.

1. Method in a pneumatic material conveying system, such as in a wasteconveying system, which conveying system comprises at least one inputpoint (61) of material, more particularly of waste material, a materialconveying pipe (100), which can be connected to an input point (61), anda separating device, in which the material to be conveyed is separatedfrom the conveying air, and also means for achieving a pressuredifference and/or a conveying air flow in the conveying pipe (100) atleast during the transfer of material, in which method material isconveyed from an input point (61) to a separating means (106) or anaccumulator tank of a subsystem (1), where the material is separatedfrom the conveying air, and in a second phase the separating means (106)or the accumulator tank of the subsystem (1) is emptied, characterizedin that in the method in the second phase the partial-vacuum generatingapparatus (3, 30, 31) of at least one second subsystem (1) of a moreextensive waste conveying system is used to achieve the suction effectneeded in material conveyance to convey in the conveying pipe, i.e. inthe trunk pipe (10), the wastes collected in the separating means (106)or the accumulator tank of one first subsystem, to the separating device(20) of a waste station (2).
 2. Method according to claim 1,characterized in that in the method in the first phase, the subsystem'sown partial-vacuum generating apparatus (3, 30, 31) is used inconnection with the emptying of the input points (61) of a subsystem(1), to achieve the suction effect needed in material conveyance. 3.Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the material isconveyed from a separating device of a subsystem (1) onwards along aconveying pipe, i.e. a trunk pipe (10), to the separating device (20) ofa waste station (2), where the material to be conveyed is separated fromthe conveying air.
 4. Method according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe conveying pipe, i.e. trunk pipe (10), of a more extensive system isconnected into a circuit such that conveying air can be circulated inthe conveying pipe (10).
 5. Method according to claim 1, characterizedin that in the method a partial vacuum is achieved in the conveyingpipe, i.e. in the trunk pipe (10), of a more extensive system with atleast one pump device, such as with a partial-vacuum generator, of onesecond subsystem (1), the suction side of which pump device is connectedto a separating device (20) of an extensive system, i.e. of the totalsystem.
 6. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that in themethod pressure, i.e. blowing, is achieved with the fan of a secondsubsystem (1), which fan is disposed in the conveying pipe, i.e. thetrunk pipe (10), farther from the separating means (20) in the directionof travel of the material than the subsystem (1) to be emptied. 7.Method according to claim 1, characterized in that in the methodmaterial is fed into a conveying pipe (100) from the input points (61)of material, which are the input points of waste, such as wastereceptacles or refuse chutes.
 8. Method according to claim 1,characterized in that in the method the subsystems (1) are wasteconveying systems of a certain area, such as of a city block.
 9. Methodaccording to claim 1, characterized in that an extensive system, i.e. atotal system, is a waste conveying system of a certain area, such as ofa city district, which extensive system comprises a number of subsystems(1).
 10. Apparatus in a pneumatic material conveying system, such as ina waste conveying system, which comprises at least one input point (61)of material, more particularly of waste material, a material conveyingpipe (100), which can be connected to an input point (61), and aseparating device, in which the material to be conveyed is separatedfrom the conveying air, and also means (30, 31) for achieving a pressuredifference in the conveying pipe (100) at least during the transfer ofmaterial, characterized in that the apparatus comprises means forconveying material from an input point (61) to a separating means (106)or an accumulator tank of a subsystem (1), where the material isseparated from the conveying air and which subsystem (1) is fitted to beconnected to a local partial-vacuum generating apparatus (3, 30, 31) andto at least one partial-vacuum generating apparatus of one secondsubsystem of a more extensive waste conveying system.
 11. Apparatusaccording to claim 10, characterized in that the apparatus comprisesmeans for conveying material from a separating means (106) or anaccumulator tank of a subsystem (1) onwards along a conveying pipe (10)to the separating device (20) of a waste station (2), where the materialto be conveyed is separated from the conveying air.
 12. Apparatusaccording to claim 10, characterized in that the conveying pipe, i.e.the trunk pipe (10), of a more extensive system is fitted to beconnected into a circuit such that conveying air can be circulated inthe conveying pipe (10).
 13. Apparatus according to claim 10,characterized in that at least one pump device, such as a partial-vacuumgenerator (30, 31), of a second subsystem (1) is fitted in the conveyingpipe, i.e. in the trunk pipe (10), of the circuit of a more extensivesystem, the suction side of which pump device is connected to aseparating device (20) of an extensive system, i.e. of the total system.14. Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that at least onefan of a second subsystem (1) is fitted in the conveying pipe, i.e. inthe trunk pipe (10), of the circuit of a more extensive system at apoint that is disposed in the conveying pipe, i.e. in the trunk pipe(10), farther from the separating means (20) in the conveying directionof the material, than the subsystem (1) to be emptied.
 15. Apparatusaccording to claim 10, characterized in that the input points (61) ofmaterial are the input points of waste, such as waste receptacles orrefuse chutes.
 16. Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized inthat a subsystem (1) is a waste conveying system of a certain area, suchas of a city block.
 17. Apparatus according to claim 10, characterizedin that an extensive system, i.e. a total system, is a waste conveyingsystem of a certain area, such as of a city district, which extensivesystem comprises a number of subsystems (1).
 18. Pneumatic wasteconveying system, which comprises a number of subsystems, such aspneumatic waste systems for a specific city block, and conveying piping(10), with which the wastes of the subsystems (1) can be conveyed to aseparating means of a waste station (2), where the wastes are separatedfrom the conveying air, characterized in that in the system the pressuredifference needed to convey the material collected in the separatingmeans (106) or the collection tank of one subsystem (1) from theseparating means of the subsystem (1) in the conveying pipe, i.e. in thetrunk pipe (10), to the separating means of a waste station (2) of anextensive system is fitted to be achieved with the partial-vacuumgenerating device/fan of at least one second subsystem (1).
 19. Wasteconveying system according to claim 18, characterized in that thepartial-vacuum generating device of at least two subsystems (1) is usedfor achieving the necessary suction or partial vacuum.
 20. Wasteconveying system according to claim 18, characterized in that theblowing side of a partial-vacuum generating device of at least onesecond subsystem (1) is connected to a conveying pipe, i.e. to a trunkpipe (10), to a point which is farther from the separating means in theconveying direction of the material than the connection point of thesubsystem to be emptied in the conveying pipe, i.e. in the trunk pipe(10).
 21. Waste conveying system according to claim 18, characterized inthat it comprises an apparatus according to comprising at least oneinput point (61) of material, more particularly of waste material, amaterial conveying pipe (100), which can be connected to an input point(61), and a separating device, in which the material to be conveyed isseparated from the conveying air, and also means (30, 31) for achievinga pressure difference in the conveying pipe (100) at least during thetransfer of material, characterized in that the apparatus comprisesmeans for conveying material from an input point (61) to a separatingmeans (106) or an accumulator tank of a subsystem (1), where thematerial is separated from the conveying air and which subsystem (1) isfitted to be connected to a local partial-vacuum generating apparatus(3, 30, 31) and to at least one partial-vacuum generating apparatus ofone second subsystem of a more extensive waste conveying system.